Sixth-grader Malika “Boog” Wilson and her friends Cedrick (who has two dads), Jules (who uses they/them pronouns), and Aaron are back for a second adventure as Vanquishers, defenders of humanity against vampires. (Some spoilers for Volume #1 to follow.)
Now that vampires are back, the friends work harder than ever on their Vanquisher lessons, learning their organization’s history and how to protect themselves against the undead. But why have the vampires returned and what do they want? And how can they keep Aaron, who was turned into a vampire, safe from the Vanquishers who lump him in with the rest of his kind?
After mysterious disappearances of some and appearances of others, plus strange men having secret conversations with Boog’s mom, the friends suspect that something more is going on. Then the vampires attack, one of Cedrick’s dads is injured, and the action builds as the young people must join the adults to defend their community. In the end, a big secret is revealed, setting the stage for a third volume.
Like the first book in the series, this is an exciting and slightly spooky mystery-adventure with strong currents of friendship and community, making it a recommended title.
Boog is Black, and other characters are mostly Black and Latine.
